Glowing skin & lips, naturally

How It Started

Like many good stories, this one begins with something small: a simple Swedish military balm and a girl learning how to survive the Swedish “wilderness”.

At the time, I was a teenager and the only girl in the local Swedish homeland preparedness youth group. We learned how to use military equipment, survive in the Swedish wilderness in all seasons, and work as a team under pressure. I loved it so much that I briefly imagined a future serving in the Swedish military myself.

Well, that was not my destiny. I like to think of myself as tough - though perhaps not quite Swedish-military tough.

And in many ways, that’s where this story begins.

During those years, I discovered a small balm that came in a simple military-green tube. I quickly became obsessed with it. It seemed to work for everything I needed it for - dry cheeks, cracked winter skin on cold hands and feet, dry lips in any season, and just about any small skin emergency.

What also fascinated me were the stories about how versatile it was. In a true survival situation, I was told it could even be consumed, used to tune skis, or grease a rifle - which felt like a lot to ask from one small tube of balm!

To me, it felt like Sweden’s quiet answer to a Swiss Army knife.

What made this humble balm work so well?

Tallow. Naturally. A traditional ingredient trusted for generations.

For years it has remained my go-to balm because of its uncomplicated ingredients and the simple fact that it works and feels good.

Fast Forward

Fast forward many years, and that humble balm became the inspiration for my own tallow-based formulas.

I began experimenting with natural oils, butters, and waxes, taking the spirit of that traditional balm and refining it into something that felt both nourishing and a little more sophisticated for everyday skincare.

Tallow has always worked beautifully for my skin, and it remains at the heart of several SWEDEST formulations today.

Some SWEDEST products are vegan, while others feature traditional ingredients like tallow. What they all share is the same philosophy: carefully chosen natural ingredients, short ingredient lists, and formulas designed to nourish the skin without unnecessary additives.

Over time, this philosophy has become even more meaningful to me as I’ve become increasingly aware of the many unnecessary chemicals we encounter in everyday products. As a mother, I want skincare to feel thoughtful and uncomplicated, something we can feel good about using without overthinking it.